This year the 2024 PNG Update, to be held at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Waigani campus on 21–22 August, is promising to once again showcase some of the most important research conducted within the country. Attracting over 1, 500 people, the annual event brings together academics, policy makers, business, civil society and the public to hear about research on key development issues facing the country. Jointly organised by the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre since 2013, the event has developed a reputation for featuring high quality policy-relevant research. Dr Lawrence Sause states that he’s seen first-hand the impact these presentations have had, with politicians, senior bureaucrats, and civil society leaders engaging with ideas that have subsequently shaped their own work. “The PNG Update is a UPNG ANU partnership committed to showcasing the most important and cutting- edge research to help improve policies, advocacy and practice in the country.” Given the importance of stability for social and economic development, this year’s theme is “Securing a stable environment for growth and development.” The Update will be officially opened by Prime Minister James Marape, a regular face at the conference in recent years and an ardent supporter of research and development, regularly inviting PNG researchers for their input into Government policy making. One unique aspect of PNG Update is the active support from leaders with different political orientations. This year will be no different, with Thursday morning’s sessions beginning with addresses from member of the Opposition Allan Bird, the East Sepik Governor and by Francesca Semoso the MP for North Bougainville. The conference will also feature two plenary sessions: one on PNG’s medium-term economic outlook and the second on security and geopolitics in the region and its implications for PNG. This year there will be over 70 presentations from researchers from across the country and the region. Along with the afore mentioned leaders, they will be joined by senior diplomats – including Australia’s High Commissioner Mr. John Feakes – and academics, with PNG’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr Cecilia Nembou, and Chancellor, Robert Igara, along with Director of ANU’s Crawford school, Professor Janine O’Flynn providing opening remarks. Conference co-convenor Associate Professor Grant Walton from the Development Policy Centre at ANU, who has been involved with the conference since 2015, states that the PNG Update just keeps getting bigger and better every year. “It features an amazing array of mostly Papua New Guinean scholars presenting policy relevant research on a range of critical issues facing the country.” Topics covered range from family and sexual violence in PNG, teaching and education, agriculture and forestry, labour mobility and the impact of its various schemes, politics and governance, climate change, sorcery and gender, land issues, and many more.

Ambunti District, East Sepik came alive in early August, celebrating the annual Sepik River Crocodile Arts Festival – an event showcasing the location’s rich arts and culture. This year, the festival celebrated its 16th anniversary after first being established in 2007 by the Wildlife Fund (WWF) in collaboration with the National Cultural Commission (NEC) who later handed the festival to the District Administration and the Provincial Government after five years. The festival was initiated with the intention of raising awareness about crocodiles and their habitats, promoting tourism in the Sepik region, and supporting economic growth. The festival featured traditional dances, music, and skits performed by the people of Ambunti and neighbouring villages highlighting Ambunti’s diverse art and culture. Present at the event was Prof. Joseph Sukwianomb (the President of SRCAF), Mr. Benjamin Gawi (Vice President of SRCAF), representing Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, the Executive Director of National Cultural Commission, Mr. David Taim (Executive Manager of Festivals, Events, Cultural Services & Arts Industry) and Ms. Shiva Lynn Burgos (Founder of The Mariwai Project). Taim expressed his appreciation to the people of Ambunti for their efforts in making the festival a success. “Festivals are now a platform that we use to raise awareness and advance our culture.” "Folks attend festivals in order to observe, learn, and have an experience.” "That is the location of the transfer of cultural knowledge." The festival's official opening speaker, Lynn Burgos, stressed the importance of Ambunti having an Arts Center. She proposed using it as a community café, a space for teaching and learning, a location to welcome artists, and a place to sell art. "I believe that Ambunti needs an arts center where everyone in the community can benefit from learning how to make art, teaching, having other artists come to visit, having an art gallery for sales, and having a cafe." In addition, Taim announced that the National Cultural Commission would donate K5,000.00 to the festival in order to further its goal of conserving and advancing the arts and culture of the nation.

In a landmark partnership aimed at addressing the critical issue of low literacy rates in Papua New Guinea, Lae Biscuit Company Ltd has collaborated with Buk Bilong Pikinini to establish a new library learning center in Lae, Morobe Province. This initiative underscores both organizations' commitment to community development and educational advancement. There is an urgent need for sustainable solutions to uplift the nation's educational standards as literacy rates in Papua New Guinea are at a concerning 63.5%, the lowest in the Pacific region. Buk Bilong Pikinini, has long been at the forefront of this mission, improving literacy among children. The collaboration with Lae Biscuit Company Ltd marks a crucial step forward in these efforts. Lae Biscuit Company Ltd, through the Chow Foundation, has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to the community. This latest venture reflects their core values and the foundation's ongoing dedication to making a positive impact. By providing the resources necessary to establish the new library learning centre. The project scoping commenced earlier this year with consultation of 5 elementary schools in Lae, Morobe Province prior to the selection of one school to set up the early learning centre. Schools consulted were St Philip Lutheran elementary, Butibam Elementary, Yanga Elementary, Four Mile Elementary & St Steven Elementary school in which St Steven Elementary school was selected based on project scope criteria. Managing Director and CEO of the Chow Foundation- Mr John Chow who was present at the ceremony expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and hopes for the positive impact it will have on the community, especially for the children. “The Chow foundation believes in the power of education to transform lives, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that provide children with the tools they need to succeed.” “This library learning centre is a testament to our dedication to community development and our belief in the potential of every child.” “We are investing in the future of Papua New Guinea’s children and supporting Buk Bilong Pikinini's mission to create a literate and empowered generation.” “The new library learning centre in Lae will serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless children in the province, providing a safe and nurturing environment where young minds can explore the joys of reading and learning.” “The centre will be equipped with a diverse collection of books, educational materials, and resources tailored to enhance literacy skills and foster a love for reading among children.” “We are proud to partner with Buk Bilong Pikinini in this crucial endeavour and also thank the 5 schools who participated in the initial scoping of this project, the Provincial Division of Education office, St Steven Elementary Board of Management and the school representatives and everyone involved.” John Chow also highlighted the importance of addressing the literacy crisis in Papua New Guinea. "Improving literacy rates is essential for the growth and development of our nation. By working together with Buk Bilong Pikinini, we are taking a meaningful step towards creating a brighter future for our children." Leanne Resson, Executive officer representing Buk Bilong Pikinini, also stressed the important collaborative spirit and shared vision of the initiative with The Chow Foundation. The 5 consulting schools in Lae who were part of the initial project scoping will be donated a school library kit each to support the schools learning. The school library kit is made up of over 1,000 books per school which consists of; 200 Teacher reference books materials, 250 Picture books, 250 Books for children ages 6-12, 100 Readers (for emerging readers), 90 nonfiction books, 100 advance readers books, 10 dictionaries, Atlas & Encyclopedia and 13x BbP readers books - when I grow up series.” Anne-Sophie Hermann, Buk bilong Pikinini Founder and Vice-Chair expressed her delight in this partnership with Lae Biscuit and the Chow Foundation. "We are pleased to be partnering with Lae Biscuit and the Chow Foundation to be serving more Lae-based communities with our Early Childhood Education program as well as Awareness, Inclusive Education, After- School and Digital programs.” “We have witnessed a great demand from parents for our programs in Lae and will look forward to being able to cater for this most urgent demand.” “Children who have attended BbP’s program for one year enter school with confidence and are able to achieve great academic results thanks to their foundational literacy.” The groundbreaking ceremony, held at St Steven Elementary School in 3 mile, Lae was attended by representatives from the Chow Foundation, Buk bilong Pikinini, Morobe Provincial Education office and the St Steven elementary school board, teaching staff & students. The partnership between Lae Biscuit Company Ltd through the Chow Foundation and Buk Bilong Pikinini represents a shared commitment to fostering education and literacy in Papua New Guinea. It is a powerful example of how partnerships between corporate entities and non-profit organizations can drive positive change and create lasting benefits for our communities.

Papua New Guinea’s Hip Hop dance sensation WanSquad recently took gold at the 2024 World Hip-Hop Dance Championships putting PNG on the map. In an exclusive interview with PNG HAUSBUNG, the crew was still in the process of recovering from their epic win on Saturday August 10th (Arizona, USA Time). WanSquad’s Manager and Creative Director, Pyan Ng, stated that this was their fourth year competing in the World HipHop Dance Championships. “We sacrificed a lot coming into 2024, we we’re confident that we’d be placed in the top 3.” “We had rehearsals 4 days a week; 3-4 hours of practice; we started in January prepping for this event.” The group had also faced quite a few challenges in their journey towards the Dance Championships including health, personal, familial and work issues. “I think it's part of the experience when you're working towards something, the journey is not always perfect." "These challenges really tested our faith, our work ethic, our brotherhood and our connection with each other, yet in spite of it all, we pushed through and made it through to the finals." Additionally, the crew revealed that most countries competing did not have any knowledge of Papua New Guinea, until WanSquad participated in the competition. WanSquad would like to thank their major sponsors Mountain Dew and Indomie for their support and the people of the Pacific. "We wouldn't be able to participate in this competition without their sponsorship." "We'd also like to thank our country, our families, friends and to all the Pacific Islands that are supporting us." Ng added that the crew wants to be a positive influence and role model for youngsters with similar dreams. "We'd like to inspire, motivate and encourage those who always wanted to step into the hip-hop international world stage to compete and represent their country and people - we'd like to see more participation not only from PNG, but from other Pacific Islands as well." WanSquad advises any person who is interested in getting involved in hip-hop and the dance scene   to work alongside like-minded individuals. "You should keep company with individuals who share the same mindset as you - these trustworthy individuals will propel you to achieve your dreams and goals." "Keep in mind that these things require sacrifice and hard work." "Be patient when your dreams don't come into fruition quickly as God has his own timing." "Be persistent and never give up!" WanSquad will return to the country on August 21st, 2024.

The 2024 Inaugural Youth Summit reached its 3rd day on Monday 12th August, 2024. Under the theme: Empowering Youths for a Better and Progressive NCD, the summit was an initiative by Governor for NCD Powes Parkop aimed at inspiring, discussing ideas and bringing more opportunities young people in the nation’s capital. Present at the summit was Governor Parkop, Resident Coordinator UN, Richard Howard and Prime Minister James Marape. While speaking, PM Marape stated that education still remains the number one pursuit among youths. He added that it was his goal to see any student left behind in their school journey. “We want every youth to make it to Grade 12, in order to do so, we have opened up many paths to get you there.” He further encouraged the youths who may face difficulty obtaining employment saying that getting a job is crucial, but they must be innovative and create their own jobs whether they complete school or not. “Life is not measured by university degrees.” He also commended the NCD Governor for the initiative and for working with youths in the city. Meanwhile Governor Parkop stressed the importance of youth in the country’s development. “It is good to have young people together as they bring their energy, creativity and new ideas into the city.” Presently, young people and adolescents make up 60% of PNG’s total population.

The Voice Inc (TVI) is pleased to welcome Professor Matt Andrews from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for a week of public policy dialogues with local leaders. During the past three years, TVI has collaborated with Professor Andrews and his Building State Capability (BSC) team at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, offering their flagship public policy reform program, the Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) course. In addition to being a first for Harvard University, Professor Andrews' visit to PNG is also a first for himself. As part of TVI's Local Leadership and Collective Action Program (LLCAP), which assists a network of local leaders working on public policy reform and implementation, Professor Andrews has a packed week of events planned. Tuesday's roundtable discussion on province to national policy implementation will be facilitated by Dr. Eric Kwa, Secretary of the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG), in collaboration with frontline SARV agencies from Kundiawa. After that, Mr. Joe Itaki, Director General of the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA), will conduct a discussion on youth law and policy. The Wau-Waria district office and the Digicel PNG Foundation, which both focus on early literacy, will host Professor Andrews on Wednesday. In addition, Professor Andrews will introduce teams from DJAG, NYDA, and civil society in the third cohort of his renowned PDIA course at TVI. These teams, under the guidance of TVI and the Harvard BSC Team, will finish a demanding yet useful 12-week course. Ms Maliwai Sasingian, Executive Director of TVI, explained that they want their local leaders to access the best mentoring and ideas the world has to offer, hence why they decided to work with the Harvard Team. “Their approach, problem driven iterative adaptation, or PDIA, has proven successful in more than 100 countries around the world and is already showing results here in PNG.” Other significant events during Professor Andrews' visit include the Wednesday evening graduation of TVI's second cohort of Development Leaders, who successfully finished the PDIA course, and a public policy dialogue on the topic of Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) at the University of Papua New Guinea. TVI is honoured to arrange Professor Andrews' visit and to foster meaningful conversation with its local leaders, who are leading the way in tackling some of the most important problems facing the country. TVI is proud of the work it has been able to do through its PDIA course with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Papua New Guinea’s premiere dance sensations, Wan Squad have again placed PNG on top! Taking out the World Hip Hop International Dance Championship 2024. The World Hip Hop Dance Championship is a pinnacle event in the world of Hip Hop dance. Witnessing electrifying performances of top-tier dance crews around the world contesting for the title. With Wan Squad’s promising start in the preliminary round securing the first spot, the guys have done it again, taking first-place finish and bagging Gold in Phoenix, Arizona, USA! Massive congratulations from Mountain Dew and the management & staff of Pacific Industries Limited to Wan Squad for finishing their preliminary round and semifinal round as Number 1! This is a resounding effort, up against 28 other teams in the semi-final, from countries all around the world: from the Philippines to Brazil, USA to Greece and Italy. Wan Squad’s accomplishment not only showcases their immense talent but has also brought immense pride to Papua New Guinea as they stood alongside the world’s finest. Mountain Dew’s unwavering support as a proud sponsor of Wan Squad, has been a driving force behind Wan Squad’s seamless journey to the competition for the last three (3) years. Wan Squad acknowledges and appreciates Mountain Dew’s continuous and invaluable support in realizing their dreams and achieving such monumental feat on the international stage.

Jacks of PNG the biggest multi-format retailer in Papua New Guinea recently became the Gold partner for ASCENSION, PNG Fashion Week’s season seven, crem de la crem show. PNG Fashion Week is in its 7th year of producing high end fashion events that market and showcase PNG’s art and culture, through the spotlight of Fashion. Jayde Ovia, Executive Assistant to the Manager Director of PNG Fashion Week stated that this partnership was essential to the growth of the fashion and textile industry in PNG. “It gives our fashion designers and cultural creatives access to the brilliance of the Jacks of PNG phenomenon.” “It is so important to have retailers in the room when we host our fashion events, and this partnership surpasses that, to not just be in the room, but to actually partner at this level is such a massive boost to the impact of the work of PNG Fashion Week.” Philma Kelegai, Managing Director of PNG Fashion Week expressed pride at the benefits the partnership will bring to designers and retailers. “We are pleased to create an incredible event that gives the opportunity for designers and retailers to meet, where ideas can flourish, and dreams can be realized.” Jack’s of PNG is an extension of Jack’s of Fiji which is a multi-award-winning family business founded and established in 1969. It's first store was launched at Waigani Central, Port Moresby, on March 30, 2015, marking its entry into the fashion retail market. Over the years, they’ve set a new standard in fashion retail by offering high-quality, well-designed clothing and accessories at affordable prices in a modern, attractive setting. Since then, they’ve expanded to five additional locations: Vision City, Mount Hagen, Madang, and Lae. Jack’s of PNG Ascension is scheduled for September during the independence weekend and will feature 13 local designers and two international designers. Tickets will be on sale by the end of the week.

The Port Moresby Nature Park was recently a grant recipient of a Climate Change and Environmental Diplomacy Project funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in Canberra, German Embassy Australia. In line with its key focus areas on Wildlife, Plants, Conservation and Research, the Park received a funding amount of €30,000 which will go towards implementing a small project designed to focus on ecological transformation, and drive awareness on climate and biodiversity in schools and communities in Port Moresby. The project titled "Love your Nature Park, protect our Biodiversity," will run for 7 months starting in the month of August 2024 and ending in March 2025. Key activities will include tree distribution, school and community outreach, an awareness campaign, rollout of a new education program, and an innovative Climate Science Fair for schools in October. The main goals of the project are to raise awareness and educate people about biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management, promote tourism through park tours and educational programs, lead afforestation and reforestation efforts in schools and communities, and establish a climate change database for Papua New Guinea's unique plant and animal species through the park’s ex-situ conservation efforts. It will emphasize the importance of working together to protect our natural world for future generations. The Port Moresby Nature Park invites all relevant stakeholders to join the campaign by supporting the project through tree planting initiatives, sponsoring prizes for the climate science fair and contributing to the awareness campaign throughout the duration of this project. As Papua New Guinea's premier attraction and charity-based organization, Port Moresby Nature Park is dedicated to preserving the country's unique flora and fauna through engaging experiences. “Our mission relies on the generous support of the public, the business community, government, and development agencies.” “By visiting the park and participating in our programs, you're not only contributing to our core functions of recreation, education, and conservation, but also promoting eco-tourism, education, and community involvement.” “Together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.”

Save the Children is excited to announce the debut of Oky Toky, a new weekly radio program aimed at empowering teenage females, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Oky Toky, which is aimed towards females between the ages of 10 and 19, will cover important topics such adolescent health, puberty, child marriage, mental health, personal safety, and referral routes. The show strives to establish a secure platform for girls to learn, share stories, and access important information through interactive segments, interviews, and lively debates. Elke Puritau, Pacific Regional Operations Director for Save the Children, explained the importance and effectiveness of radio in communicating such crucial information. "Radio is a powerful tool for reaching communities across Papua New Guinea, especially in remote areas and Oky Toky will leverage this platform to provide vital information and support to adolescent girls, helping them to reach their full potential in life.” Dr. Edward Waramin, Manager for Population and Family Health Services at NDoH Oky Toky is a crucial step towards addressing the unique health challenges faced by adolescent girls in PNG . “By providing a space for open conversation and essential health information, Oky Toky will empower our young women to take control of their lives." "We believe that investing in the health and wellbeing of our young people is an investment in the future of our nation." As a component of the larger Oky PNG project, which is supported by the Australian Government, Oky Toky aims to dispel the stigma associated with menstruation and address the dearth of correct information regarding puberty, menstruation, and other health-related topics. The Oky PNG Period-Tracking Mobile Application for teenage females with smartphones and Android phones, as well as the Oky Toky Hotline Interactive Voice Response service, are also part of the project, in addition to the radio show. Congratulating the producers on their new radio show, UNICEF Country Representative Angela Kearney said that Oky Toky promised to be a very effective way to reach young people in PNG. “This is a fantastic initiative that will surely help adolescent girls get the information they need to make informed decisions about their own lives, and ultimately their own futures.” The program will air every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. on Tribe FM, the National Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC) youth radio network, with weekend replays scheduled for all 22 provincial NBC radio stations.

The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority engaged more than 500 school students at the IEA College of TAFE Education Fair, on Thursday and Friday, 1st and 2nd, August showcasing opportunities and sparking interest in the tourism industry. The Career Fair was held in Port Moresby which featured various activities created to encourage student interaction and provide insights into different industries. Students from multiple schools participated including Tokarara Secondary School, Sunrise Baptist School, Caritas Technical Secondary School, POMIS (170), Badihagwa Secondary, Dela Salle Catholic Secondary School, La Salle Technical School, Malolo International School, Zion Zeal, St. Josephs International, Butuka Academy, and Kila Secondary. Students got the chance to take part in a variety of games and drawings over the two-day event, such as Spin the Wheel, The Hoop Game, and Footy Toss. To be eligible to play these activities, students had to fill out a questionnaire encouraging them to visit different booths and ask questions to obtain information. Students enthusiastically interacted with the TPA crew, answering quiz questions about tourism in Papua New Guinea to obtain exclusive TPA items. Three laptops, one for each day, given by Theodist PNG Limited were among the major draw prizes. Held on the second day, the Mega Draw included more products from sponsoring companies such as Digicel, PNG Ports Corporation, and Hastings Deering, in addition to a laptop from Theodist. TPA’s HR Officer for Personnel, Adrin Manavutah, expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the event. "A heartfelt gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to participate in the event. We thoroughly enjoyed marketing our company to the students.” “While many students asked questions from the provided slips, we were particularly impressed by those who asked additional questions out of curiosity.” “Our team enjoyed the interactions and engagements with the students, making these two days some of the best we’ve had in the field.” IEA College of TAFE’s Online Training Coordinator, Michaeline Stevens, conveyed her appreciation to TPA for their participation. "The event, which drew 550 students over two days, was a resounding success, and we recognize that this achievement would not have been possible without your presence and participation.” “We deeply appreciate not only your contribution to this event but also the many years of continuous support that PNG Tourism Promotion Authority has graciously extended to our college.”

Coca-Cola has secured its spot as the Diamond Sponsor and Non-Alcoholic Beverrage Partner for the 30th Enga Show that is set this weekend from 9th to 11th August 2024, making it its second consecutive year. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Sales and Commercials Director, Tim Solly Director expressed enthusiasm for the company’s involvement, mentioning that CCEP’s commitment is stronger than ever as it celebrates the vibrant culture of the Engan people. “The show is a wonderful platform to unite, celebrate, share the Engan people’s experiences, common heritage, beliefs, and practices, and CCEP is excited to be a part of the festival.” The township of Wabag is expected to draw sizable audiences for the three-day event, which will feature an extensive exhibition of the Enga province's cultural customs. Coca-Cola takes pride in its sponsorship of the Enga show and other cultural events. It also continues to support other noteworthy provincial shows including the Morobe Agriculture Show, the Goroka Show, and the National Mask & Warwagira Festival.